And by some miracle found Dash … or he’d found me. The specifics were fuzzy, a combination of dumb luck, a bird, and my visions. Story of my life. But here we were, and I’d thought finding Dash would simplify matters, not complicate them. However, Star was Dash’s old girlfriend. What a slap in the face. Where did that leave Dash and me?
It might have been completely stalker-ish, but I wanted to just lie here on the cool stone floor with one of his bunched up shirts under my head and stare at him. For the first time in weeks, the world seemed semi okay again, and that was saying something considering the current state of the world.
With tousled hair and stubble shadowing his cheeks, a grin crept over his lips. “Hi, Freckles,” he whispered.
I curled my hand under my makeshift pillow, trying not to smile. “Hi.”
His long, envy-worthy lashes blinked the last bits of sleep. God, how I’d missed those roguish eyes. “See anything you like?”
The scenery was breathtaking, and I didn’t mean the glittery shards of crystals embedded in the stone. “I’ll let you know when I do.”
His eyes grew serious. “Are you really okay?”
He wanted to know what happened to me in the Institute. If they had hurt me. The truth was, I had been hurt, but it was disappointment in finding out my parents weren’t who I’d believed them to be. All the bruises and achy muscles were nothing compared to finding out the people I cared most about thought of me as a weapon first and a daughter second. “No, not really. But I will be.”
His fingers grazed mine. “They don’t deserve you.”
I wanted to intertwine our hands, but Star stirred on the other side of Dash, and our personal interlude ended. “Doesn’t matter now,” I murmured. “I’m not going back there.”
Dash cursed. “So now what?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I didn’t think that far. One day at a time is all I got.”
“You can’t run forever.”
Says the guy who has been running for months. “I know. All I thought about was finding my family, but that didn’t really pan out so well. Things changed and I had to find you to warn you about their agenda.”
“That was very noble of you, but did you ever think it might have been safer for you to stay in the Institute?”
“So you think I made a mistake leaving?”
His lips pressed together. “I don’t know. I only know that you can’t keep living like this.”
“I can take care of myself. You don’t need to worry about me. The future might be unknown, but based on what I can do, it will reveal itself soon enough, and in the meantime, you still have a brother and mother to find. Let me help you.”
Star’s head popped up behind Dash as she sat up. “Your mom and Logan are still out there?”
Dash’s head turned toward the sound of her voice. “I’ve been looking for them for months.”
Star’s eyes found mine on the other side of Dash. “It’s settled then. Charlotte and I will help you find them.”
Dash groaned. “Don’t tell me this is how it is going to be with the two of you ganging up on me.”
My heart fluttered in my chest as my lips lifted. “Don’t pretend you wouldn’t enjoy that.”
Star frowned.
His grin said it all. “I’m not saying that I am agreeing to this harebrained idea, but until we figure out what to do, let the adventure begin. God knows anything can happen.”
Leaving the cave with Dash and Star, I was uncannily reminded of my quest to find my family. It seemed strange to be out in the Heights again. I suddenly felt like an orphan and the future still uncertain. Leaving the Institute had been a rash decision based on an ability I knew little about. The visions were unpredictable. And I had a fourth power I knew nothing about—not even what it was.
I pushed aside thoughts of my parents and the clone DNA and focused on my next move. Helping Dash search for his family was only a temporary task. Yet, it might take years, and I wasn’t sure I had years in me to dedicate, especially with the Night’s Guard hot on our heels and being near Dash and Star. It was awkward enough. This whole thing might be an impossible mission. My emotions for the Slayer were probably a driving factor, yet I didn’t want to admit it. With Star back in the picture, I needed to protect myself—guard my heart—and the first step to doing that was keeping my mind occupied.
I refused to let myself think about the girl from his past and the choice Dash would have to make. I could make it easy for him: take myself out of the equation.
The thought crushed my heart.
What a mess. I was that girl caught in a love triangle. How cliché.
Jagged mountains rose up behind us until they vanished into the clouds. Somber Mountain wasn’t an easy terrain to maneuver. We made our way through a forest of thorn trees that bordered the edge of the land, bristling and nasty. The leaves were pointed and barbed, making it vital we watched where we stepped. There was a reason we went through the forest instead of around it. The gnarly branches made it difficult for us to be followed.
After dodging several thorny limbs and being nicked on the arm more than once, I grew tired of the game and drew out my blade. Bad idea.
It was as if the trees sensed danger and went into battle mode. My only intention was to make the path in front of me easier instead of having to constantly duck and dodge. But the branches surrounding me came alive, swinging and swaying in a wild dance. Whoosh. A prickly limb whipped at my face. I jumped out of the way, but not before it caught me in the arm.
“Damn it,” I hissed, my whole shoulder stinging with fire.
Dash spun around and stood at my side before I had a chance to get lightheaded from the sight of my own blood. “Are you okay?” His warm hands moved over my skin, turning my arm from side to side.
My flesh was bright red and oozing blood in several spots where the thorns had pierced. “It’s nothing but a few scratches.”
His dark brows furrowed. “You drew your dagger after I told you no weapons.”
“Well, you failed to tell me the trees would attack me.” Gah. He was too close. My body instantly became aware of his, and it didn’t help that he was touching me.
His breath tickled my ear, tying my stomach into a thousand knots. “Would it have mattered if I did? Danger loves you.”
Sizzling sparks ignited in the air between us, an unstoppable pull. My breath hitched, and I turned my head so our lips were a mere inch away. I wanted to kiss him.
And then I remembered.
Star.
My gaze shifted slightly to the left. She stood behind Dash, watching us as he moved to lean in. I slapped a hand on his chest and gave it a little shove. “Don’t,” I whispered.
He blinked and blinked again before clarity of the situation slowly formed in his eyes. “Sorry. I—” He shoved a hand in his hair. “We need to talk.”
“Later,” I ground out. “I’m not in the mood.”
I took a few steps through the trees, feeling the dried leaves crunch under my feet. Diamond Towers shone in the distance, mocking me, its pristine white bricks glittering under the brilliant moonlight. My skin prickled as a gentle breeze blew over my skin, rustling the twigs over my head.
I glanced up, seeing something sparkling in the tree branches. What was that?
Taking another step closer, I heard a hiss.
What the—
“Freckles!” Dash screamed my name.
Shit.
Chapter Eleven